Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System

CURES Mandate

To assist health care practitioners in their efforts to ensure appropriate prescribing, ordering, administering, furnishing, and dispensing of controlled substances, law enforcement and regulatory agencies in their efforts to control the diversion and resultant abuse of Schedule II, Schedule III, and Schedule IV controlled substances, and for statistical analysis, education, and research, the Department of Justice shall . . . maintain the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES)…

Health and Safety Code section § 11165. (a)

Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System

California’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

CURES 2.0 (Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System) is a database of Schedule II, III and IV controlled substance prescriptions dispensed in California serving the public health, regulatory oversight agencies, and law enforcement. CURES 2.0 is committed to the reduction of prescription drug abuse and diversion without affecting legitimate medical practice or patient care.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and confidentiality and disclosure provisions of California law cover the information contained in CURES 2.0.

Access to CURES 2.0 is limited to licensed prescribers and licensed pharmacists strictly for patients in their direct care; and regulatory board staff and law enforcement personnel for official oversight or investigatory purposes.

CURES Registration Requirements

California law (Health and Safety Code Section 11165.1) requires all California licensed prescribers authorized to prescribe scheduled drugs to register for access to CURES 2.0 by July 1, 2016 or upon issuance of a Drug Enforcement Administration Controlled Substance Registration Certificate, whichever occurs later. California licensed pharmacists must register for access to CURES 2.0 by July 1, 2016, or upon issuance of a Board of Pharmacy Pharmacist License, whichever occurs later.

Prescriber and dispenser registration to access CURES 2.0 is simple and fully automated. Prescribers and dispensers can register to access CURES by clicking here.

Submission of Controlled Substance Data

California Health & Safety Code Section 11165(d) requires dispensing pharmacies, clinics, or other dispensers of Schedule II through IV controlled substances to provide specified dispensing information to the Department of Justice on a weekly basis in a format approved and accepted by the DOJ. Currently, the ASAP 2009 Version 4.1 format is accepted.

Direct Dispense Reporting Application

The DOJ, in coordination with Atlantic Associates, Inc. (AAI), allows direct dispense prescribers and entities, including pharmacies filling less than 25 prescriptions per month, to electronically report dispensing data to the DOJ. The direct dispense application can be accessed on the Direct Dispense website located at www.aaicures.com. Also available at this website are instructions on how to apply for an account and submit dispense data. Please note that the DOJ no longer accepts paper direct dispense reports.

To access the secured direct dispense site, dispensers must first complete the application at http://aaicures.com/register.for.access.php. Once an application has been submitted, an email confirmation from AAI will provide approved users with a username and temporary password. If an email confirmation is not received within 48 hours of submitting the application, please contact AAI at CACures@aainh.com or (800) 539-3370.

PRESCRIPTION FORMS (FOR PRESCRIBERS)

Obtain Security Prescription Forms

California law requires prescribers of any Schedule II through V controlled substance to obtain and use tamper-resistant prescription forms ordered only from state-approved security printers. To order tamper-resistant prescription forms, please refer to the Approved List of Security Prescription Printers for vendors authorized by the DOJ and their contact information.

Report Lost or Stolen Prescription Forms

Reports of lost or stolen prescription forms or pads must be reported to local law enforcement and the PDMP. Users registered with CURES can electronically report their lost or stolen prescription forms or pads online when logged into their CURES account. A law enforcement agency report number is required when submitting a report of lost or stolen prescription forms to the PDMP.

For questions concerning how to report lost or stolen prescription pads or forms, please contact the Security Prescription Printer Program at SecurityPrinter@doj.ca.gov.